Science for sustainability: translating knowledge into action

Our progression toward sustainable development is confronting us with unprecedented challenges. The Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), a center for transdisciplinary and transformative research and thought, believes these challenges are too complex to be resolved with strategies we already know. Read more
 

News

Climate Engineering – Ethical Challenges and Governance

In the course of a three day conference on “The Ethical Challenges of Climate Engineering” from 22 nd to 24 th of May 2013 hold by the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, there will also be the possibility to discuss challenges and problems of the governance of CE research as well as possible deployments from different parts of the world (e.g. Europe, USA, Australia, Asia) with leading experts in normative theory, environmental ethics and philosophy will answer your questions. The public round table discussion on “Climate Engineering Governance – Different perspectives from Around… Read more about [node:title]

Social imbalance of the energy transition?

The current debate about the social acceptability of the energy transition needs to be more objective, otherwise it threatens to bring distress upon the “collaborative work of the energy transition”. Such is the claim of a Working Group Report issued by the Transdisciplinary Panel on Energy Change (TPEC) at the Institute for Adavanced Sustainability Studies (IASS). The “Contributions to the social accounting of the energy transition” will be presented to the public on May 21, 2013 in the Kalkscheune (Berlin) . The event will be opened and moderated by Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer, Executive… Read more about [node:title]

Symbolic crossing of the 400 ppm threshold for CO2: “Not a call to panic but a call to action”

Reacting to the news of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) that the level of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere has passed the 400 parts per million mark (relating to the CO 2 particles per million air particles), IASS Scientific Director PD Dr. Mark Lawrence highlights its great symbolic significance, reminding us that we have driven our world into a new epoch – the Anthropocene: “Here our global environmental influence is reflected by CO 2 levels that have not been experienced for millions of years. This is a clear call for action to reduce our CO 2 emissions –… Read more about [node:title]

Global Soil Week 2012: Film "Let's Talk About Soil"

The film "Let's Talk About Soil" presented at the Global Soil Week 2012 is available on the website: www.globalsoilweek.org

Transdisciplinary Panel on Energy Change (TPEC)

The Transdisciplinary Panel on Energy Change (TPEC, Plattform Energiewende) at the IASS gives scientific guidance to the German energy transition.

Research Clusters

Global Contract for Sustainability (GCS)

Director: Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer - GCS focuses on the societal and political transformations that must take place if we are to achieve greater sustainability. It pursues three priorities - Sustainability governance, Transformation processes, Cultural diversity and sustainable economic activity.

Earth, Energy and Environment (E³)

Director: Prof. Dr. Carlo Rubbia - E³ focuses on a secure, environmentally-friendly energy supply. It investigates the generation of affordable and available renewable energies, super-conducting electric lines for long-distance energy transport from production to consumption, and technologies for progressive decarbonization and closing the carbon cycle, while assuming CO₂ to be an asset and resource.

Sustainable Interactions with the Atmosphere (SIWA)

Director: PD Dr. Mark Lawrence - SIWA explores how to reduce human influences on the atmosphere, such as air pollution and global warming, and their consequences for human health, agriculture and ecosystems. Enquiry focuses on short-lived climate-warming pollutants and the implications and risks of climate engineering.